🎃 TIP: HALLOWEEN & DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENTS & PARTIES 2019, DC
Events will be added as we learn about them! If you know if any events or parties not on the list, email us: averagesocialite@gmail.com
BOO AT THE ZOO
October 18, 19, 20 | Smithsonian National Zoological Park | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
At the 21st annual Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, your fearsome cubs (or princesses, or robots) will have the chance to trick or treat at more than 40 stations, sing their hearts out to Halloween’s grooviest karaoke tunes and show off their costumes on a spooky fun catwalk.
In addition to kids’ dance parties all three nights, on Sunday, October 20 there also will be a special costumed character dance party, where families can boogie alongside some recognizable friends.
HOCUS POCUS SCREENING + PARTY
Saturday, October 19 | Warner Bros. Theater | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.
Now it’s time to let your witch flag fly! Join us for a 35mm screening of this cult classic + a party that’s sure to have you dance—dance, dance till you die!!!
Day of the Dead Kickoff Party at Oyamel
Monday, October 21 | Oyamel, 401 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Kickoff Party will feature specials and classic Oyamel bites alongside limited-edition cocktails and tequila and mezcal tastings, live music including hits of this year’s honoree, Ritchie Valens, a photo booth, and face painting. Tickets are all-inclusive and can be purchased here for $60pp (plus taxes and fees).
HALLOWEEN AT BALLSTON QUARTER
Thursday, October 31 | Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 | 5:00 PM
Halloween is coming to Ballston Quarter! Kids and families are invited to trick-or-treat throughout the mall for fun goodies and special Halloween treats! Favorite movie characters including Spider-Man, Black Panther, Merida, and Wonder Woman, and local mascot Slapshot from the Washington Capitals will also be available for special spooky photos. The evening will be capped off with a showing of Hocus Pocus beginning at dusk in the Plaza, where viewers can enjoy food and drinks from Quarter Market and Ballston Quarter while they watch this favorite throwback movie.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING ZOO
Friday, October 25 | Smithsonian National Zoological Park | 10:30 PM
Step right up for Friends of the National Zoo’s adults-only night of curiosities, grotesques and beastly good fun: Night of the Living Zoo, sponsored by Groupon. Street performers—including a sword swallower, a fire eater, living statues, magicians and stilt walkers—will delight guests!
**Use code “NOLZAVSOC19” for $5 off tickets, for up to four tickets.
NIGHTMARE ON M STREET BAR CRAWL
Saturday, October 26, 2019 | Dupont Circle | 1:00 PM 7:00 PM
The Biggest. The Baddest. The longest running Halloween Party in D.C. No Cover. Less Lines. More Scares and Thrills. It can't be missed! Don't wait, call all your friends to get gruesome, devilish and dreadful at D.C.'s best bars in Dupont Circle that will be hosting Halloween's favorite barcrawl, Nightmare On M Street.
“PURGATORY” HALLOWEEN PARTY
Saturday, October 26, | Dirty Habit, 555 8th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004 | 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Dirty Habit, in collaboration with Liton Events, is throwing hours of non-stop revelry dubbed “Purgatory,” right in the heart of Penn Quarter. The Halloween party will take place throughout the entire restaurant including the city block-sized patio. Dirty Habit’s bar team will offer Chambord-infused cotton candy, performances will include a stunning fire dancer and daring aerialist from Peculiarity Productions, and a DJ will be playing top Billboard hits throughout the Halloween bash. Entry is free. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
A HALLOWEEN PARTY AT TTT MEXICAN DINER (FREE)
Saturday, October 26 | TTT Mexican Diner, 2900 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, Virginia 22201 | 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Guests can get into the Halloween and the Day of The Dead spirit of Mexico with festive decorations, as well as a costume party! The festivities will kick off at 9 p.m., and guests can enjoy spooky decorations, a DJ, specialty cocktail, and a costume contest. DJ Ruben will spin top-40 hits mixed with Latin beats, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is free. Three winners of the costume contest will be awarded $300, $200 and $100 gift certificate exclusive to TTT Mexican Diner. The costume contestants will be showcased live on the largest TV screen in the Clarendon area in TTT so everyone can help judge the winner with the guest DJ.
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT THE NATIONAL HARBOR (FREE)
Sunday, October 27 | National Harbor Waterfront District Plaza, 151 National Plaza, National Harbor, Md. 20745 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Celebrate Harbor Halloween at National Harbor with trick-or-treating at 40 different stores and restaurants. The movie Hocus Pocus will be shown on the Plaza Screen. The day ends with an exciting pumpkin carving contest that tests the creativity of National Harbor chefs.
Halloween Party at the REACH (FREE)
Thursday, October 31 | The Kennedy Center | 6:00 PM Halloween Dance Lessons, 7:30PM FIlm Screening
The Kennedy Center brings the fun outdoors this Halloween with Hall-O-Screen Party: A Nightmare Before Christmas, a free night filled with tricks and treats for the D.C. community. Patrons are welcome to come in costume to celebrate the haunted holiday at the REACH.
Patrons can enjoy savory and sweet items from participating food trucks as well as drink specials. Patrons must show valid identification to consume alcoholic beverages. Additionally, guests can stop by the MyTix table in the Welcome Pavilion for a special Halloween surprise. The first 100 MyTixers to visit will receive candy and swag. MyTix is the Kennedy Center’s discount program for elementary through undergraduate students, patrons between the ages of 18 and 30, and active duty members of the military.
PUPPIES AND COSTUMES AND GAMES, OH MY! (FREE)
Saturday, November 2 | Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping and relaxing, is celebrating the spooky season with a puppy costume party at The Yards Park! Families and their furry friends are invited to enjoy Halloween festivities including Halloween crafts, costume face painting, puppy trick-or-treating, festive music and, of course, a puppy fashion show. Puppy parents can enter their pets into the competition for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite shops and restaurants at The Yards and other prizes.
DAY OF THE DEAD MASQUERADE GALA AND FIESTA AT THE MEXICAN EMBASSY/ CULTURAL INSTITUTE
Saturday, November 2 | Mexican Embassy/Meixcan Cultural Institute, 2829 16th Street, NW, Washington, District Of Columbia | 8:15 PM - 11:45 PM
Tonight, you are invited to embrace the season where very few else can say – ON MEXICAN SOIL! At this special gala, you’ll be transported into a world filled with the wonders of the Pre-Colombian legends and the beauty of Mexican beaches as we celebrate the holidays with our unique International Touch. This evening, we invite you to come in either black tie (optional) or masquerade style (optional) and dance as they do on the most elegant (and eerie) of dance floors and ballrooms of throughout Mexico.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS (FREE)
Saturday, November 2 | National Portrait Gallery, Kogod Courtyard | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with live music, Mexican folk dance, artist demonstrations and art workshops.
CELEBRATE DC’S SPOOKIEST CARNIVAL AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL SIDE YARDS! (FREE)
Saturday, November 2 | Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join us at Yards Park for an evening of thrills and entertainment — for the family! Food and drinks provided by Ice Cream Jubilee, Due South and Agua 301 with specialty cocktails, beer, wine, and frozen drinks! This year’s Side Yards Acts include: Aerialist, Escape Artists, Fortune Teller, Sword Swallower, Tight Rope Walker, and MORE!